Meet the Breathe team

Raphael Bender (Pilates)

With over 10 years' teaching experience, Raphael is a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer and holds APMA level 3 membership. He is also a member of the STOTT PILATES international advisory committee for Licensed Training Centres, and has presented hundreds of hours of workshops and courses to Pilates instructors, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and fitness trainers nationally. Raphael is a qualified fitness trainer and holds a black sash in Southern Praying Mantis kung fu, which he taught for 5 years. He also sporadically writes the widely acclaimed Breathing blog.

In addition to his Pilates training, Raphael has extensive knowledge and experience teaching stretching techniques and self-trigger point release for drug-free pain relief. He has a special passion and expertise in rehabilitation, and has accumulated over 10,000 client hours, working with spinal, hip, knee, shoulder and neck injuries using Pilates.

When you come to Raphael's group class, you'll experience an intense, whole body workout that will move you towards physical and mental balance, as well as lightening your mind. You'll float gracefully away from each session feeling taller, stronger and more supple, as well as having a sore butt.

Raphael's Look draws inspiration from the classic Kung Fu movies of the Seventies, and he is said to have impeccable taste in wildly colourful tracksuit/skivvy combos. His spirit totem animal that Noble Knight of the Australian Bush, the Wombat. You can check out testimonials by people who've worked with Raphael recently; you can also email Raphael.

Click here to view all Raphael's classes
or Click here to view Raphael's one-on-one availability

Miriam Jones (Pilates)

Miriam holds STOTT PILATES Level 2 certification, as well as a Certificate IV in Pilates through Network Pilates. She has also trained at Pilates Institute in U.K. and Australia. Her skills as a movement teacher evolved during her time at the Victorian College of the Arts, and over the course of her career as a professional dancer. She has been involved in the fitness industry since 1999, and has been teaching Pilates since 2001. Miriam has worked closely with physiotherpists and dancers, and has presented Pilates workshops and education nationally.

Whilst her fast-paced group classes are amongst the most highly sought after at Breathe, Miriam specialises in one on one sessions; she particularly loves facilitating the process of rehabilitation and movement pattern retraining which is part of the return to a fully functioning body. Miriam's look leans towards Uma Thurmanesque tracksuits, and her movie star quality has been compared to "a better looking Rachel Griffiths". Her spirit totem animal is the Penguin. You can email Miriam.

Click here to view all Miriam's classes
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Natasja Sproat (Yoga)

Natasja's enjoyment of yoga began as a child. She trained in the Iyengar style yoga under Eugenie Knox, founder of Dance of Life studios in Fitzroy. Her personal Yoga practice also inlcudes the Ashtanga series, and she has practiced in Mysore, India in Ashtanga, Sura and Atma Vikasa yoga styles. Since completing her teacher training under Louisa Sear at YogArts Academy, Byron Bay, she has taught adults and children at all levels (including stints teaching in Japan). She is currently training in Sakshin Ghatastha Yoga under Prahlad, founder of Yoga Arts academy in Melbourne.

Natasja teaches a strong, flowing and dynamic class with a focus on breath awareness, and mindfulness. She also expands upon the therapeutic aspects of asanas, using yoga to lift the spirit and enhance physical and mental wellbeing of those around her; just like her Spirit Totem Animal, the Meerkat.

Natasja is a registered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, and she has trained in Shen Yang Hospital, and worked with hundreds of patients around India. She is also the co-founder of Traditional Healthcare, a not-for-profit organization that builds sustainable healthcare facilities in rural areas around the world. Their first project is in Jharkarnd, India. Visit http://www.th.org.au. Tasja also enjoys twanging the banjo and playing with her young son. You can email Natasja.

Click here to view all Natasja's classes

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Rachel Burnett (Pilates)

Having worked extensively alongside physiotherapists in a clinical rehabilitative setting, Rachel's interest and talent is in working with injuries and special needs. A STOTT PILATES trained instructor, Rachel is originally from Scotland, although she trained first in New Zealand, then completed her qualifications at Breathe. Her 1:1 and small group Pilates teaching is characterised by attention to detail, variety and customisation of each workout. When you attend Rachel's group Reformer classes, though, you'll understand what we mean by "sweet, yet super-severe" and "caring, but exacting"...

Rachel loves living by the beach with her fiance Ben, cooking, exercise and enjoying breakfast with family and friends. Her Look draws inspiration from the Noir aesthetic of Louise Brooks, and she somehow manages an elegant blend of softness with style so piercing, you could cut yourself on it. Her Spirit Totem animal is the sleek, sharp clawed Abysssinian.

Rachel loves to talk all things Pilates... you can email Rachel

Click here to view all Rachel's classes
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Ambika (Yoga)

Ambika discovered her passion for Yoga through her years as a professional dancer. She has studied and taught Yoga in many places including India, London and Berlin. During the past 15 years Ambika has run her own Yoga studio, explored over 20 countries and has taught and performed in Music and Fringe festivals, Hotels, Clubs and Amusement parks throughout  Europe, Asia and Australia. Her spirit totem animal is the Panda.

Her teaching style is a mixture of the many paths of Hatha Yoga she has studied including Sivananda and Ashtanga. You'll experience her Yoga classes as a graceful, flowing vinyasa practice which can be surprisingly powerful.

Ambika also loves live music (especially rock and electro pop) and has recently discovered Go Go dancing! You can email Ambika.

Click here to view all Ambika's classes

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Nicole Mazurkiewicz (Pilates)

Nicole holds STOTT PILATES Level 2 certification. She returned to Australia from Dubai especially to teach at Breathe, for which we're very grateful, as she's one of Australia's top young instructors, not to mention her uncanny ability to colour-coordinate.

In Nicole's classes you'll enjoy her lightness and intensity, her humour and her ability to make working hard so much fun (did we mention that you'll enjoy working hard?).

Dubai is where Nicole learnt her deep appreciation for all things arabic: music, calligraphy, food & dance... you'll find her laughing with the gang at reception between classes

Nicole's Look draws inspiration from some of the Greats in the history of Dance Movies, and could be described as "American Ballet School Chic". Her collection of Leg Warmers is truly impressive. Nicole's spirit totem animal is the exotic Snow Leopard. You can email Nicole.

Click here to view all Nicole's classes
or Click here to view Nicole's one-on-one availability

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Chris Wilson (Yoga)

Chris came from a background in marine science, and still holds a deep love and connection with the environment. He first started teaching yoga after completing a hatha based teacher training in Vancouver.

Since then he has dedicated his time to studying and practicing as many styles of yoga as possible. Despite their unique qualities and the underlying similarities, the practices that have resonated most are Anusara, Yin Yoga and in Particular Power Vinyasa Yoga. Chris classes typically involve a strong Vinyasa flow, where intimacy with breath and body are used as an enquiry and simple participation in the experience of life.

We're impressed with Chris' subtle but endeering Look, which we title Surfer in the City. As well as his hawk like eye for detail, just like his spirit totem animal, the Red-Tailed Hawk. You can email Chris.

Click here to view all Chris' classes

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Melissa Papworth (Pilates & Yoga)

In Mel's class you can look forward to exploring ways to move your body with increased freedom, whilst having fun in the process. She has a BAappSci (Health) and an Associate Diploma in Fitness Leadership, and completed her Pilates training and is certified through PoleStar Pilates. Mel owns and operates the Pilates and Yoga Shed in Yarraville.

Mel grew up playing competitive sport, which led to her representing Australia in Women's cricket. At Breathe we enjoy Mel's down to earth approach, her wisdom gained from experience, and her sense of humour and mischief - just like her spirit totem animal, which is the Otter. You can email Mel.

Click here to view all Mel's classes

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Andrew Gardner (Pilates)

Andrew holds STOTT PILATES level 2 certification and is currently training as a remedial masseuse. He is also the owner of Revolution Fitness, a specialisit gym in Melbourne's Preston. Andrew danced professionally for many years including stints in Cats and with Opera Australia.

Andrew's quiet, gentle manner, and his emphasis on precision may cause you to be surprised at how UNBELIEVABLY TOUGH his classes are. After you experience Andrew's Reformer class, you'll definitely know you've worked. And worked. Get ready to rumble! You can email Andrew (to let him know how sore you are). Andrew's spirit totem animal is the Cougar, and he favours coordinated scarves and unusually coloured custom sport shoes.

Click here to view all Andrew's classes
or Click here to view Andrew's one-on-one availability

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Georgia Herford (Pilates)

Georgia is STOTT PILATES trained, and she also holds a Certificate IV in Pilates instruction. She has also studied Posture and Flexibility with Kit Laughlin. After her years of training in classical and contemporary dance with a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) from Deakin University Georgia was introduced to Pilates to complement her dance training.

In Georgia's classes, you'll benefit from her emphasis on form and technique, and her uncanny ability to guide to beyond your limitations. Georgia's spirit totem animal is the Fox. You can email Georgia.

Click here to view all Georgia's classes
or Click here to view Georgia's one-on-one availability

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Bianca Milione (Yoga)

Bianca has trained in the Iyengar and hatha Yoga traditions over the past 9 years, her main teachers being senior Iyengar Yoga teacher Nicky Knoff, and hatha Yoga master Acharya Venkatesh. As well as her dedication to Yoga practice and teaching, Bianca is a naturopath, and she is especially interested in nutritional healing.

In Bianca's classes you can expect to find emphasis on connecting to stillness in the midst of a dynamic physical practice. Developing awareness and stability both, of mind and body through sustained poses and precision movement.

Bianca is an enthusiastic traveller, especially enjoying time spent in India and other Asian countries. She is a lover of nature, fresh air, healthy food and of growing some of it herself! Her roots are in Italy, she is an Italian speaker and comes from a long line of organic farmers. Bianca' spirit totem animal is the Bilby. You can email Bianca

Click here to view all Bianca's classes

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Stephanie Glickman (Pilates)

Originally from Los Angeles, Stephanie came to Australia for a 1 year backpacking holiday and never went back. She is certified through Polestar, APMA and STOTT PILATES - that's a lot of certification! Not to mention her Masters degree in dance studies, as well as a graduate degree in English. Stephanie is also a qualified fitness trainer (we suspect she likes to study). She owns and operates her own studio, Armature Pilates in Melbourne's East Brunswick (that's the cool end of Brunswick), where she hangs out with her son Felix, and hubby Michael.

Stephanie writes dance columns for the Herald Sun and Australian Stage Online, and her book "Australia Takes the Stage" was published by Hardie Grant in 2008.

In Stephanie's class you'll be titillated by a quickfire series of hilarious witticisms, whilst you enjoy a lively-paced class full of a variety of different exercises, so there's plenty to keep your interest in motivation levels high. Stephanie has the knack of keeping you simultaneously comfortable, amused and perspiring. Get ready for Hip Rolls.

Stephanie's Spirit Totem animal is the industrious, lighthearted Badger. You can email Stephanie.

Click here to view all Stephanie's classes

Nina Isabella (Prenatal Yoga)

Nina is a devoted mother, prenatal yoga teacher, independent childbirth educator, birth attendant (doula), and passionate advocate for reclaiming women’s trust in their innate wisdom to birth and raise their children consciously.

For Nina, teaching prenatal yoga is deeply informed by her own experience of pregnancy and birth; and most recently by her work as a birth attendant.  Nina brings the wisdom gained from these experiences and applies them directly to her teaching.  All of Nina's classes and workshops are designed to empower, inform and inspire you to embrace the glorious journey of birth and motherhood.

Prenatal yoga with Nina, allows you to take the time, to make your experience of pregnancy more comfortable, and joyful.Consciously connecting with your growing baby and learning practical ways to move, breathe and stretch will help prepare you for the experience of childbirth and motherhood.

Nina's approach to prenatal yoga is eclectic, warm and truly heart-centred.  Classes are flowing, integrating movement with breath and intention to awaken the inner light within us all.

Nina's prenatal yoga program has been created to enhance your experience of pregnancy and ignite your birthing wisdom.  This unique prenatal yoga program is designed to complement your childbirth education classes; is of great benefit for first-time mothers and an excellent refresher for women who have birthed.  Whether you’re a novice or seasoned yoga practitioner, you will experience a fresh perspective on active birth. Nina's Spirit Totem Animal is the wise, marsupial Possum. You can check out Nina's website at www.mamashanti.com.au.

You can email Nina

Click through to view all Nina's classes

Kylie Mones (STOTT PILATES Education coordinator)

As well as dancing professionally, Kylie has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 1997 and has managed several fitness clubs in Melbourne. Kylie is STOTT PILATES trained, and in class you'll find her to be "mean, hard and cruel, but in a nice way". Her son Jake is following in her footseps and at age 3 already has his first set of tap shoes. Expect your classes with Kylie to be fun, challenging and safe. Kylie's spirit totem animal is the Gazelle. Kylie coordinates and administers all aspects of the Breathe STOTT PILATES Education courses. You can email Kylie.

Click here to view all Kylie's classes

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Julie Stoll (Reception)

Julie is trained as a Naturopath and Remedial Masseuse. She has been involved in the management of fitness, martial arts and Pilates centres since 2002, since giving up her private Naturopathy practice. Julie enjoys a regular Pilates practice including weekly private sessions to help keep her strong and supple for the physically demanding role of mothering a young up-and-coming Pilates-ite.

Julie's look draws on inspiration from the classic era of style, the 1930's; but with a modern twist. Her fashion heros are Gwen Stefani, Constance Bennett and Ginger Rogers. Her spirit totem animal is Lassie. You can email Julie.

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Anna Phipps (Reception)

Anna has completed STOTT PILATES training and is studying for her exam certification, with a special interest and focus working one-on-one with injured clients. She is also a qualified social worker, and she is currently undertaking postgraduate studies in psychology.

Anna favours colourful neck jewellery. She loves working at Breathe, because of the opportunity to interact with genuinely happy people (especially just after a Yoga class). Anna is the glue that holds Breathe, and Breathers together, with her warm, open hearted approach to life.

Anna's spirit totem animal is the Owl. You can email Anna.

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Laura Ceppelli (Reception)

Laura is a STOTT PILATES Certified Matwork instructor, and is currently undergoing further STOTT PILATES training at Breathe. Born and Bred in Wales, Laura travelled the world for 10 years before settling in Australia with her Italian husband, whom she met in Barcelona, and married in a Melbourne Bar 5 whirlwind weeks later. She says "when you know you know" and "what’s the worst that can happen". The latter has got her through some of her most difficult button clicking and account updating decisions. Only joking.

We love Laura for her sugar-sweet disposition and fabulous sense of humour, and her penchant for flamboyant cravats and colourful neck scarves. If you aren't quite awake when you arrive for your morning session Laura will get you across the line into happy wakefulness with her infectious morning enthusiasm, sunny nature and coordinated, accessorised ensembles. Laura's Spirit Totem animal is the Vienna White Rabbit. You can email Laura.

James Kelly (Studio Manager)

James likes; being a dad, W. Somerset Maugham, traditional shaving paraphernalia, Montenegro with a dash of mandarin, and long walks on the beach. James has taught Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu and practices both Pilates and Yoga, as well as being an expert on Trigger Point release. He's the only human alive who fully understands how the Breathe database works.

James is also a Fashionista of Renown, and is highly skilled at helping people discover their own true Look. He terms his own Look "Hemmingway chic"; you'll often meet him on his way to a debutante ball, still wiping the Bear fur and snow from his over-jacket. His spirit totem animal is the haughty Camel, the proud ship of the desert. You can email James.

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